Family Court Transparency Archives

3 - Investigations / 4 - Cases / Anne Arundel County / Appellate Court / Baltimore City / Baltimore County / Civil Rights / Court Corruption / Court Reform / Domestic Violence / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Legal Reform / Maryland / Maryland Watch / Protective Orders / The Reichert Files / The Shadow Docket of Reichert v. Hornbeck

The Standard Nobody Published: Maryland’s Amended Protective Order Law, Eight Years Without a Reported Case

April 8, 2026April 8, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

A Maryland custody case once made law. Then, over six years and five more appeals, Reichert v. Hornbeck generated a body of unreported family-law rulings that resolved recurring questions but never entered the state’s published precedent. This article examines what that means for litigants, lawyers, and the public.
Grounded in the article’s opening and its explanation of the five unreported opinions and their impact.

Family Court / Laws

Maryland Codifies Child Custody Factors — But Will Anything Really Change?

May 28, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s new law codifies child custody factors for judges but raises concerns about its effectiveness. Critics argue that the requirement to “consider” these factors lacks accountability, as judges can ignore them without repercussions. Structural reforms are needed to ensure justice in the often opaque family court system.

A Father in Court Alone: The High-Stakes Struggle of Marc Fishman

May 12, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

On April 28, 2025, Marc Fishman, fighting parental alienation and suspended visitation rights in a New York courtroom, faced significant challenges: no attorney, unreceived filings, and a judge potentially biased against him. His struggle highlights flaws in the family court system, which prioritizes procedure over the welfare of vulnerable parents and children.

Broken by Design: The Hidden Crisis in Virginia’s Family Courts

April 26, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Virginia’s family courts prioritize profit over justice, operating in secrecy that undermines due process and children’s welfare. With federal funding encouraging conflict, families suffer from arbitrary rulings and a lack of accountability. Courts utilize Alternative Dispute Resolution, often to the detriment of parents and children. Reform is vital for true justice.